Valve construction



July 16, 1957 J. E. MILLER VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 6, 1950 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent VALVE CONSTRUCTION James E. Miller, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Bishop David Freeman Co., a corporation of Illinois Application June 6, 1950, Serial N 0. 166,487

4 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) This invention relates to asteam regulating device and more particularly to a device employed in a steam ironing apparatus of the type used in commercial laundry and dry cleaning establishments. 7

The apparatus, herein referred to, normally comprises an outside source of steam, a flatiron provided with means for receiving steam at the sole plate thereof from said outside source, and a remotely controlled device for regulating the steam fed to the flatiron.

Heretofore, this steam regulating device was so ar ranged that the steam from the source first passed through a main control valve and then a restrictive flow valve before reachingthe flatiron. The amount of steam required for use in the flatiron is very small. Consequently, the flow valve was set to allow only a slight amount of steam to pass therethrough. The main control valve normally remained closed and was remotely opened either mechanically or pneumatically by a foot pedal or electrically by a switch mounted on the flatiron. With this prior arrangement, when the operator desired steam at the flatiron, he actuated the main control valve and then encountered a considerable delay before any steam reached the flatiron because of the smallness of the opening in the flow valve. This delay was objectionable in that it decreased the efiiciency of the pressing operation.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a steam regulating device which will overcome the aforementioned difliculty.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which is simple and compact in construction, effective in operation, and inexpensive to produce.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a steam regulating device is provided comprising a hollow housing, a flow valve mounted within said housing, and a discharge or main control valve mounted within said housing and spaced from said flow valve. The housing is provided with a steam inlet port formed in one end thereof, a steam accumulating chamber formed centrally of said housing, and a steam outlet port formed in the other end of the housing. A relatively narrow passage, in which is positioned the flow valve, is provided in the housing connecting the inlet port and the center chamber. A relatively large passage is formed in the housing for connecting the center chamber and the outlet port. The discharge valve, which is either mechanically, pneumatically, or electrically actuated, is disposed within this latter passage and is adapted to normally seal off the same.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a steam ironing apparatus incorporating the steam regulating device which forms the subject-matter of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of only the steam regulating device;

e ,101 Ice 2 799 Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the device taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1, a commercial type steam ironing apparatus is shown comprising a hand type flatiron 10, a source of steam, not shown, and a steam regulating device 11 for controlling the flow of steam from said source to said fiatiron.

The flatiron 10 is of a conventional type and is provided with a sole plate 12 having a connector 13', mounted at the rear end thereof for receiving the steam as it flows from the regulating device 11 through a flexible tube 13. The forward or front end of the sole plate is perforated, not shown, to allow the steam to be directed onto the garment while being pressed by the flatiron. A handle grip 14 is mounted on the upper side of the fiatiron. Mounted on the forward or front end of the handle grip 14 is a switch 15 which electrically controls the' operation of the steam regulating device 11, to be hereinafter more fully described. A finger piece 15' is provided on switch 15 for operating the same. The piece 15' is normally actuated by the thumb of the operator. A

flexible cord 19 connects the switch 15 and a solenoid 16,

the latter being adapted to'control device 11.

Solenoid 16 is mounted on a suitable pedestal or bracket 16 adjacent the upper end of housing 21 for device 11. Mounted transveresly on the upper end of housing 21 is a fulcrum member 17. To the free end of the member 17 is pivotally connected a'valve actuating arm 17. The other end of arm 17 is pivotally connected to the core 18 of the solenoid 16. Thus, when the solenoid is energized by the switch 15 being closed, the core 18 is moved downwardly into the coil of the solenoid causing arm 17' to pivot clockwise about member 17 and depress the exposed end 22 of valve stem 23 which is mounted within housing 21. Stem 23 will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

The regulating device 11, as heretofore mentioned, comprises a substantially hollow housing 21. The housing normally assumes a vertical position, as shown, and is provided in its lower end with an internally threaded opening 25. Threaded into opening 25 is a tube 26 which is connected to the steam source. Formed sub.- stantially centrally within the housing is a steam accumulating chamber 27. A relatively narrow passage 28 joins chamber 27 with opening 25.

Positioned intermediate chamber 27 and opening 25 is flow valve 30. The stem 31 of valve 30 is threadably mounted on housing 21 and has the reduced end 32 thereof restrictively positioned within passage 28, see Fig. 2. A knob 33 is mounted on the exposed outer end of the stem 31, to allow for manual adjustment thereof. The setting of stem 31 is dependent upon the pressure of the steam supply and the intensity of the steam which is to be discharged at the forward end of sole plate 12.

The accumulating chamber 27 and opening 25 are in vertical alignment, thus if any condensate forms in chamber 27 it will flow out through passage 28 and opening 25.

Spaced above chamber 27 is an outlet port 34. A relatively large passage 35 is formed in housing 21 which connects port 34 and chamber 27. Disposed within passage 35 is a main or discharge control valve 36 having the stem 23 thereof actuated by solenoid 16, as heretofore mentioned. Stem 23 is formed into two sections 23a and 23b. The upper section 23a is slidably mounted within a suitable opening 36' formed in the housing above port 34 and coincident to passage 35. Sealing material 37 for stem section 23a is provided within a Patented July 16, 1957 3 st'uffing box 38 formed in the upper portion of housing 21. A collar 40 is threadably mounted within the stufiing box 38 and effects seating of the sealing material 37 about the stem shank and thereby prevents leakage of steam at the exposed end 22 of stem section 23a.

The upper stem section 23a abuts lower stem section 23b within passage 35, as seen in Fig. 2. The portion of stem section 23b disposed within passage 35 is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the passage 35; thus enabling steam to readily pass between the stem section 23b and the interior of the passage as seen in Fig. 4. The shape of the upper portion of stem section 23b is shown to be hexagonal, but of course it may be of any other desired shape, so long as there is sufficient clearance to allow the steam to pass from the chamber 27 to the port 34. The lower end of stem section 23!) terminates within chamber 27 and has secured thereto a valve head 41. The upper portion of the head 41 is recessed and has seated therein a sealing material 42, which when the valve 36 is closed, seals off the lower end 43 of passage 35. The bottom side 44 of head 41 is reduced in size and is embraced by the upper end of a coil spring 45 which is disposed within chamber 27. The lower end of the spring abuts the bottom of chamber 27. The spring 45 normally causes head 41 to seal oif passage 35.

When the stem 23 is depressed by arm 17 causing head 41 to be unseated, there is an initial surge of the accumulated steam from chamber 27 out through port 34. The effect of this surge of steam is that the time lag between the depressing of finger piece 15' and the discharge of steam from the forward end of the sole plate 12 is negligible. Following this initial surge of steam, the steam returns to normal rate of flow as determined by the setting of flow valve 3i).

Thus it will be seen that a steam regulating device has been provided which effects substantially instantaneous discharge of steam from the flatiron upon manipulation of the solenoid control switch by the operator, thereby materially expediting the pressing operation.

While a particular embodiment of the invention is shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1;. Quick acting steaming iron apparatus comprising a steaming iron having a perforate sole, an accumulating chamber having a steam inlet to accumulate steam for said iron, a steam conduit connecting said accumulating chamber and the perforate portion of said sole, a controllable discharge valve means between said accumulating chamber and said conduit, and a flow metering valve at the steam inlet to said accumulating chamber.

2. Quick acting steaming iron apparatus comprising a steaming iron having handle means and a perforate sole, an accumulating chamber having a steam inlet to accumulate steam for said iron, a steam conduit connecting said accumulating chamber and the perforate portion of said sole, a controllable discharge valve means between said accumulating chamber and said conduit, operating means at said discharge valve to actuate said valve between an open and a closed position, means adjacent said handle to control said operating means, and a flow metering valve at the steam inlet to said accumulating chamher.

3. Quick acting steaming iron apparatus comprising a steaming iron having a perforate sole, an accumulating chamber having a steam inlet to accumulate steam for said iron, a steam conduit connecting said accumulating chamber and the perforate portion of said sole, a controllable elect'romagnetically actuated discharge valve means between said accumulating chamber and said conduit, means to energize said discharge valve means, and a flow metering valve at the steam inlet to said accumulating chamber.

4. Quick acting steaming iron apparatus comprising a steaming iron having handle means and a perforate sole, an accumulating chamber having a steam inlet to accumulate steam for said iron, an elongated flexible steam c0nduit connecting said accumulating chamber and the perforate portion of said sole, a controllable discharge valve means between said accumulating chamber and said conduit, operating means at said discharge valve to actuate said valve between an open and a closed position, means adjacent said handle to control said operating means, and a flow metering valve at the steam inlet to said accumulating chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,442,140 Field Jan. 16, 1923 1,842,784 Houston Jan. 26, 1932 1,958,876 Wright May 15, 1934 2,073,658 Stockton Mar. 16, 1937 2,088,174 Paullin July 27, 1937 

